Transcribed from the sheet music at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/sm1881.04496

MOTHER'S REQUEST
(Dan Lewis, 1881)

I have traveled through life; I have seen many things
To surprise me in ev'ry form.
I have been at the plough; I have been at the spade
From dark till sunrise in the morn.
But at night, when I'd go for some pleasure through town,
I was always for pleasure and joy.
My mother would say, when going away,
"Be home early tonight, my dear boy."

CHORUS: Be home early tonight, my dear boy.
Be home early tonight, my dear boy.
Don't spend all your money in gambling and drink.
Be home early tonight, my dear boy.

One night, I left home and poor mother was sick,
In a fever of torturing pain.
She said, "My dear boy, take this motto I give.
I may never give it to you again."
And when I returned from my night's fun and joy,
I heard my poor mother was dead.
'Twas then a cold chill through my body did run
When I thought of the last words she said: CHORUS

All young men that are here, take this word of advice:
To your father and mother attend,
For a good mother's love, it should not be forgot.
When she's dead, you have lost your best friend.
Don't spend all your money in gambling and drink,
For there's many a thing to enjoy.
Take this lesson I give; 'twas a mother's request:
Keep good hours at night, my dear boy. CHORUS